The Peer Counselor Program, founded in 1985 and sponsored by the Office of the Dean of the College, is a peer-mentoring program offered to first-year students at Lafayette College. The program guides and assists first-year students in adjusting to the rigors of college life.

Kristen Mahlstedt '05 researched how jurors make decisions in the courtroom under the direction of John Shaw, associate professor of psychology.

The goal of the program is to increase a first-year student's academic success in the transition period from high school to college. The program is build on frequent, at least once per week, one-to-one meetings between the student and a peer counselor. First-year students may participate in the program for one or two semesters.

Who are peer counselors?

Peer counselors are upperclass students selected because of their desire to assist entering students, their strong interpersonal skills, academic performance, and knowledge of college student life. Most are leaders in other campus organizations. After being selected, they participate in a comprehensive training program.

Peer counselors and first-year students are matched using a variety of criteria, especially academic interests.

• deal with all aspects of a student's transition to college life in order to increase academic success
• make suggestions on how to balance academic and social life
• advise students on how to manage time, improve study skills, approach faculty when necessary, and deal with stress
• inform students about resources available at Lafayette, academically and socially
• provide students with information about courses and campus policies and procedures

An Invitation to Enroll Now

• are the first in their family to attend college
• need support in managing their time or improving their study skills
• feel that high school did not prepare them fully for college-level work
• find it difficult to ask for help